SHILLONG: Opposition parties in the State have suggested that the strength of the autonomous district councils should be raised to 40 with only one nominated woman member when the Sixth Schedule will be amended by the Centre in relation to the tripartite text agreement between the Government and both factions of the ANVC.
In a joint letter addressed to Chief Minister Mukul Sangma on Friday, the four Opposition parties – UDP, NPP, HSPDP and KHNAM – said that a joint meeting of the four political parties was held to discuss the proposed amendment to the Sixth Schedule relating to the tripartite text agreement. and agreed to the increase in strength of the ADCs to up to 40 members with only one woman member to be nominated but without any voting rights,” the letter said.
According to the political parties, the nominated member should be appointed on the advice of the respective Autonomous District Councils.
The meeting also resolved to demand the inclusion of the district councils under the provision of the Tenth Schedule, to prevent defection.
The joint letter reminded the Chief Minister that on January 28, the Opposition parties had discussed and deliberated on the proposed amendment to the Sixth Schedule in relation to the increase in seats in the district councils.
“At that point of time it was decided that pending the receipt of the Final Draft Proposal from the Ministry of Home Affairs, we would not be in a position to present our final views as there will be possibility of changes as aired by the Chief Minister,” the letter said.
However, the joint letter said that they have been in touch with the Commissioner and Secretary, District Council Affairs, who had informed them of the failure of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs to send the Final Draft Proposal.
The letter said it was understanding the paucity of time that they had made their suggestion for the 40 seats including a nominated member sans the Final Draft Proposal from the Centre.
The political parties also sought the intervention of the Chief Minister saying that it was a very important matter concerning the tribal Institutions of the state.
Prior to the finalisation of the peace pact, the State Government had projected an increase from the present 30 to 40 seats in the GHADC and the KHADC, while the strength proposed for the JHADC was 34 from the current 30.
The State government had also called for nomination of five members each in the three autonomous district councils.
The government had said that out of the five nominated seats in the JHADC and KHADC – one seat will be reserved for minority communities like the Marngars, one seat will be occupied by a representative of the traditional heads and one seat would be reserved for a woman member while the government will decide on the remaining two seats.
As far as GHADC is concerned, the ANVC wanted direct elections to 35 seats, while five – comprising two ANVC members, two Nokmas (traditional heads) and one woman – would be nominated.
